Just so you know: This post is not sponsored nor does it feature gifted items.
It was last fall that a friend asked me: “Have you seen Abercrombie’s new stuff?”
I laughed and cringed a little at the same time, recalling the Abercrombie & Fitch of my teen years in the early aughts. I hadn’t thought of them since the era of the Backstreet Boys.
But when my friend pulled up their website, there was no trace of the old A&F to be found. Instead, everything felt refined and sophisticated. The more I browsed, the more I loved their aesthetic. The clothes themselves were so my style — subtle, minimal-ish, classic but with a vibe. Like Aritzia, but at a friendlier price point.
I was especially excited about their denim. The sizing options gave me hope that I might find my new go-to jeans that really fit well. So I ordered a couple of pairs to try on, feeling hopeful. Maybe a little skeptical too. But when they arrived, I was smitten. And impressed. They’ve managed to do what no other jean has done for me lately — FIT.
So today I’m sharing my thoughts on their 90s ultra high rise straight jean, which I’ve had for a couple months now. Read on for my notes on the sizing, washes, fabric composition, and overall thoughts.
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Jeans | same jeans in curve love fit
Sweater (old) | similar | similar for less
Coat (old) | similar
Earrings (old) | similar for less | similar, better quality
I’m wearing the 90s Ultra High Rise Straight Jean in Light Wash.
SIZE: I have a 27in waist and a 39in hip. After trying on a few pairs, I realized I’m a Curve Love fit — GAME CHANGER. No gap in the back of the waist! On me, a 27 Curve Love is super comfy with a little extra room, a 26 Curve Love fits snatched yet still comfy. I have a pair in both sizes, so I tend to go back and forth between the two depending on what I need that day. In this post, I’m wearing a 27 Curve Love.
INSEAM: I’m 5’5 and wearing the regular length here. I love that it’s full length, just short of touching the floor when I’m barefoot. I usually like this length the best with sneakers or other flat shoes, but in this post I’m wearing it with a heel and it still works.
FABRIC COMPOSITION: These jeans look rigid, but a closer look at the fabric composition reveals they are made up of 99% cotton, 1% elastane. Ooooh that 1% elastane is my best friend! It makes them soft and comfortable, yet they still hold their shape through multiple wears.
DETAILS: I appreciate that they don’t have back pocket stitching or visible logos.
WASH: Their light wash is everything. It looks like the perfect vintage flea market find. Very authentic. I’ve tried some of their medium washes and they were nice too, but I wasn’t in love enough to buy them. A light wash just fits my personal style better. I also love the washed black color — it’s clean and classic, not too faded.
SIZING CONSISTENCY: I’ve tried on a lot of A&F jeans, and overall I feel that their sizing is consistent within styles. As in, I’m a 26-27 Curve Love in any wash of the 90s Ultra High Rise Straight Jeans. HOWEVER, I’m a different size in different styles. For example, so far I’ve discovered I’m a 25 Curve Love in the Low Rise 90s Straight, a 27 Curve Love in the High Rise 80s Mom Jean, and a 25 Curve Love in the High Rise Dad Jean.
It takes a little patience and some ordering + returning to figure out your size. If there’s a store near you, I recommend going in person to try a bunch of different styles/sizes.
I hope the information I’ve shared in this posts helps a bit! Feel free to ask any fit questions in the comments — I’ll answer them as best I can.
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And there you have it! Thanks for being here!
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xo,
So glad to see you’re posting again. You look amazing – very 90s Cindy Crawford! I am loving the high waisted 90s jean look. I’m having a hard time giving up the ankle length vs full length look though. Full length is cute in the winter, I just think ankle length is better for me as temperatures warm up. Is that style going away?
Thanks Kelly! I definitely don’t think you need to give up the ankle length. They are still going strong and I don’t think they’ll be on the way out anytime soon. And even if they were, I’m a big believer in always wearing what you love, regardless of its “in” or “out” status. A&F has an ultra high rise ankle straight jean that you might want to check out. I like to switch between a full length inseam and an ankle length depending on my outfit/mood and the current season. xo, C
Thank you SO MUCH for this post! It’s like you read my mind from the past month, as I’ve been stalking A+F’s jeans on their website, but unable to pull the trigger on a particular pair
I usually wear mid-rise jeans, so high-rise make me nervous. I love the look, I just want to feel like I can sit down without my stomach getting super squeezed. Are the ultra high rise wearable for extended periods of time, or is that asking too much from jeans? Lol
Hi Christy! I feel you. I was anti high rise for a couple years because I am SUPER sensitive to anything constricting my stomach. I’d try pairs that were great when standing, but as soon as I’d sit down I’d get an instant stomach ache. I don’t want to overhype them because we are all different, but I’m honestly astonished at how comfortable they are. You know how when you wear uncomfortable clothes, you constantly notice and think about them? But when you’re in something comfortable it just fades to the background and you don’t actively think about your clothes throughout the day? That’s how these are for me — they just fade into the background and I forget about them. I can sit in them for long periods of time — NEVER been able to do that in a pair of high rise jeans. I even recently wore them on a plane! Anyway, I don’t want to overhype, but they’ve been a game changer for me. Let me know if you end up trying them and how they work! xo, C
That is awesome to hear, Caroline–thanks so much for the feedback! Jeans feeling comfortable on a plane is an impressive test. I am hopeful that these could be ones that work for me :)
These jeans are phenomenal! I first saw Rachael DeVaux from @rachaelsgoodeats posting about these jeans a number of months ago, and I finally took the plunge and ordered some pairs last fall. I also have the 90s Curve Love version in the light wash, as well as one other wash. I haven’t found jeans that fit so well in YEARS. I also have a 12″ difference in my waist and hip measurement, so the curve style fit like a glove. I’ve recommended these to so many friends! And I totally agree with your comments on the colour and fabric – they look and feel like a worn in pair of vintage jeans, but that 1% stretch helps so much with fit.
THIS is the review I’ve been looking for about these jeans!! They’re all over social, but wasn’t sure if it was all hype from influencers or if they actually fit well.
Bless you.
LOVING the t-shirt, too — can I ask what size you’re in in it?
Hi Jaime! The tee is awesome! Such a classic cut/fit. I’m wearing a Small. xo, C
Thank you for sharing this, Caroline!
I’ve been struggling to find Jeans that fit lately. Not necessarily because my body has changed, but the styles have changed and some of them just look peculiar on me. And then I find that the sizes that fit me are allover the place ranging from 25-30 depending on cut and brand. Good to know, it’s not just me.
I always feel a little cringe when people talk about American Eagle or Abercrombie and Fitch too haha. I bite my tongue of course as best I can. My fiancé’s parents still buy him American eagle gift cards and he doesn’t have the heart to tell him he does not wear American eagle anymore. Sweet man. That is great to know AF is keeping up-to-date. I am 34 so Abercrombie and Fitch is pure seventh grade. But I am definitely willing to check them out if they have your approval :-) Gotta keep an open mind.
Nice to read your posts again Caroline! Always enjoyable. Thanks for sharing that you are different sizes in different styles of the same brand jeans, as it is always a bit tricky to find the right fit for a pair of pants, this made me feel a bit better.
I’m just catching up on your blog posts again – love these types of reviews! I have similar hip & waist measurements as you but also large quads and I just can’t get onboard the 90s fashion straight leg look coming back (I feel like they just make my legs look huge). But I was dubious about skinny jeans for a long time too so I’m sure I’ll come around eventually haha.
Hello!
How would you compare sizing to Madewell? Thanks!
Hi Jennie! It’s been a couple years since I’ve tried on MW jeans, and I know I’ve changed sizes since then, so it’s hard to say with certainty. I’ll try to get into a MW to size myself again and let you know. In the meantime, anyone else want to chime in?
Hi Jennie! I finally got to a Madewell to size myself. The sizing between the two brands is quite different. I’m a 24-25 in Madewell jeans, whereas I’m a 26-27 in Abercrombie jeans. Hope that helps a bit!